Cow Pongal 2013

Beautiful darshan of Arunachala from the ARS

The third day of Pongal is dedicated to cattle and is called Mattu Pongal. People offer prayers to the bulls, cows and other farm animals. Cows and bulls have always held a special place in India. Cows give nourishing milk while bulls and oxen help plough the fields. Thus, Mattu Pongal is a day when cattle are given a well deserved day of rest and are given pride of place. Therefore the farmers honour their cattle friends by celebrating it as a day of thanks-giving to them.

Front Gate to ARS

Special Kolam Decorations Throughout

I decided to celebrate Mattu Pongal (Cow Pongal) at the Annamalai Reforestation Society as I knew that it would be a good occasion watching them bathe and decorate their nine cows and bullocks. 

Charming Shrines at the ARS

Legend for this day: Lord Ganesh and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and Pongal is offered to them in the 'puja'. According to a legend, once Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have an oil massage and bath every day and to eat once a month. Inadvertently, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake enraged Shiva who then cursed Basava, banishing him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food. Thus the association of this day with cattle. 

Beautiful Healthy Bulls at the ARS

Bath Time -- one for each

On this celebratory, joyous day cattle are washed, their horns are painted and they are fed with Pongal and given a day of quiet and rest. 

I was particularly fascinated to watch their feed being prepared in the custom made troughs at the ARS. I have been informed that the ingredients are as follows: Bran Husk, Groundnut Oil Cake, Black Gram Powder, Fried Gram Skin, Rock Salt, Urad Dhal Powder – all mixed up with water into a nice soup. From the gusto that the cows and bulls approached their feed – can definitely state that they approved of lunch. 

Yummy Lunch Being Prepared

How beautiful with their flowers and blue horns!

Mani manager of Farm with lady helpers

ARS -- January 2013

Today I visited the ARS (Annamalai Reforestation Society) Model Farm located at Samudram Village. The ARS was established over twenty years ago in 1989 and at the beginning the Society focussed primarily on the gardens of Arunachaleswarar Temple. 

Several years later in 1992 an Austrian lady, Marie-Louise Baravelle donated a substantial amount of money to the ARS, which allowed them to purchase 8 acres of agricultural land at Samudram Village, located at the back of the Samudram Eri. 

The ARS (Annamalai Reforestation Society) is the earliest society at Tiruvannamalai established specifically with the primary mandate of reforestation of the Arunachala Hill and surrounds. 

As well as reforestation, the organisation also grows young saplings for sale to the general public and has several properties that they rent to long staying Tiruvannamalai residents. As well as accepting donations towards the upkeep and development of the ARS, this Society also takes a proactive position in raising funds for their work. In this respect over the years they have allowed their beautiful grounds to be the venue for various ecological courses such as permaculture and also as a venue for groups who wish to facilitate various spiritual and cultural courses. 

Within the upcoming month, I will be posting an in-depth history and report of the work of the ARS on my website, Arunachala Samudra. But in the meantime will be making a few posting on Arunachala Grace, showing the beautiful land and facilities of the ARS. 

Annamalai Reforestation Society



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